CLINICAL ENGLAND OVERCOME FLAT SPOT TO PUT FIJIANS TO THE SWORD
ENGLAND crushed Fiji to extend their winning run to 12 Tests, but their display was littered with defensive errors.
Nine home tries were amassed in this second autumn international with Jonathan Joseph, Semesa Rokoduguni and Joe Launchbury crossing twice and with less than half an hour on the clock England had surged 34-0 ahead.
A passive Fijian defence waved them through at every opportunity but after half-time England leaked three tries to Nemani Nadolo, Leone Nakarawa and Metuisela Talebula.
However, after a worrying mini-collapse, Jones’ men flexed their attacking muscle to charge clear.
It took less than four minutes for England to storm ahead with Joseph slipping over after Mako Vunipola had used a combination of footwork and power to force Fiji backwards.
Chris Robshaw’s ability to strip the ball in the tackle led to the simple second England try finished off by Elliot Daly.
England were irrepressible as Rokoduguni blitzed over a third score.
Having dazzled their way over the try-line thus far, the Grand Slam champions selected the bludgeon from their armoury with Teimana Harrison and Launchbury touching down from line out drives.
The avalanche of points was interrupted as Fiji conjured a well-worked try, using their forwards to drive through the middle before exploiting an overlap with wing Nadolo crossing in the left corner.
And a second was delivered on half-time after completion of a smart attack, although England should not have allowed lock Nakarawa to twist over so easily.
Fiji added a third try to briefly latch onto the coattails of their hosts.
Alex Goode then powered over to score his first international try. George Ford’s quick thinking sent Rokoduguni strolling over to complete the scoring.
Fly-half Ford said: ‘The squad is getting better and better, the competition for places is there for everyone to see.
‘Our intensity in training and competition for places is really fierce and that’s a good thing for the team.’